Grove (Vale of White Horse) Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2024, Grove (Vale of White Horse) recorded a crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 51.4% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure marks a continuation of the area's consistently low crime profile, though the mix of crime types reveals distinct patterns. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 51.5% of all crimes, a significant share that may be influenced by the area's small population and the relative visibility of such incidents in a close-knit community. The UK average for this category is 2.6 per 1,000, meaning Grove's rate is 27% lower—a difference that could reflect effective local policing or the demographic characteristics of the area. Criminal damage and arson followed with 12.1% of total crimes.4 per 1,000, this remains 30% below the UK average. Seasonal factors may have played a role in shaping these figures: January, a post-holiday month with reduced retail footfall and shorter days, typically sees lower outdoor crime. However, the sharp increase in specific categories like robbery and shoplifting suggests that localised factors, such as changes in business activity or individual incidents, can still drive crime spikes. The overall picture is one of relative safety, but the data underscores the need for vigilance in addressing emerging trends, particularly in categories that saw dramatic month-on-month changes.

January 2024 marked a dramatic shift in crime patterns, with robbery, possession of weapons, and shoplifting each doubling from December 2023. This 100% increase in these categories contrasts sharply with the 50% declines in public order, criminal damage, and drug-related offences. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 51.5% of all crimes, but their rate of 1.9 per 1,000 was 27% below the UK average. Possession of weapons, though rare, saw an 186% surge above the UK average, a figure that may reflect isolated incidents rather than a broader trend. The drop in public order offences—halved from 2 to 1—could indicate seasonal factors, such as reduced social gatherings during the post-holiday period. For residents, the 100% increase in shoplifting is a tangible concern, particularly for local businesses during the slower retail season. These fluctuations highlight the need for targeted local responses, even as the overall rate remains well below national levels.

Grove's crime rate in January 2024 fell by 13.0% compared to December 2023, dropping from 4.1 to 3.6 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with typical post-holiday trends, where reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours may contribute to lower outdoor crime. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly one crime per day in January, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 278 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure is lower than the UK average, reflecting Grove's rural character and smaller population. The population-scaled perspective highlights the area's relative safety: with 9,172 residents, the 33 recorded crimes represent a manageable burden for local services. These figures suggest that while crime remains a concern, the scale is proportionally smaller than in larger urban centres, where higher population density often correlates with increased crime rates. The consistency of this low rate over recent months indicates a stable environment, though the January spike in specific categories like robbery and shoplifting deserves closer attention.